Seeking scientific solutions to age-related illnesses
Best idea could receive US$20,000
InnoCentive and the SENS Foundation (Strategies for Engineered Negligible Senescence) are seeking innovative ideas to reverse one of the causes of ageing and age-related diseases.
The SENS Foundation, which develops and promotes rejuvenation biotechnologies, believes ageing can be attributed to glucosepane, a protein crosslink that reduces elasticity throughout the body.
Scientists who believe they have found a solution need to submit a detailed description of the process involved and the best idea will win US$20,000.
‘Finding an innovative solution to breaking down glucosepane is our Foundation's top priority in the category of protein crosslinks, as it is the most abundant protein crosslink in aged humans,’ said Aubrey de Grey, chief science officer of SENS Foundation, based in California.
‘Our goal is to discover solutions that can be implemented and reverse stiffening, therefore restoring youthful health and vigour to the world's population.’
The SENS Foundation researches ways to repair molecular and cellular damage taking place within the body throughout a person's life. Typically the damage is harmless and only becomes problematic later in life when it drives diseases. Evidence suggests that glucosepane may play a role in osteoporosis, cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, inflammation and diabetes.
Waltham, Massachusetts-based InnoCentive, an e-business venture of Eli Lilly, brings together world-class scientists and science-based companies from across the globe together to solve r&d challenges. Financial rewards for effective solutions can reach US$100,000.
